MARGAO: The Chinchinim Deussua gram sabha vociferously demanded immediate stopping of drug peddling in their village and asked the police to intensify patrolling besides thoroughly investigating the ugly incident at Durga recently where anti-social elements attacked villagers.
The gram sabha that was attended by a large number of villagers while resolving to stop consuming alcohol in public in their village too also urged for rehabilitation facilities to be made available for those who have gone astray.
Deputy Sarpanch Valentino Barretto said the panchayat had taken cognizance of what happened at Durga and having received a representation from the locals had called for the special gram sabha where even the police were invited.
Police Inspector Wilson D’Souza who has been transferred shared contact numbers of the police personnel dealing with drugs and said he would also brief the new inspector about what has happened in Chinchinim.
He appealed to the people to be the eyes and ears of the police and sought their co-operation in cracking down on the drug trade in the village.
Villagers from Durga presented a memorandum which was also signed by some people from Cacnamodi in Cuncolim expressing their anguish and how they live in fear for the future of their children.
The gram sabha unanimously resolved that drinking in public places be banned in Chinchinim and urged the police to intensify their patrolling while offering to identify the vulnerable places to the panchayat which in turn will inform the police.
The villagers also asked the panchayat to follow up with the officials including ministers about action to be taken to stop drug peddling in the village and thoroughly probe the Durga incident and take stern action against those responsible for it.
